Month: January 2024

Coffee at the aqueduct this morning ! We got an 8:43 high speed train from Madrid, I think we spent longer on the metro getting to the rail terminal than on the actual train. I thought we would have heaps of time at Charmartin station, except it was a complete rabbit warren of construction and it took us ages to find the platform. I also thought we would see lots of Spanish countryside on the way, but between kilometres of tunnels through the mountains and fog, saw basically nothing. What we did see reminded me of the granite stone peppered fields around Goulburn at home in New South Wales. The aqueduct is just stunning up close. I would really like to see the museum where they explain everything about the aqueduct, but I’ve picked a day when it’s closed.

Just having coffee and breakfast close by, stunned at how much cheaper than Madrid it is, breakfast for the three of us for less than €8. Coffee was quite good too

Food Glorious Food !! We read that the Mercado San Miguel markets were open today, so decided to head that way to check them out.

Unfortunately I think everyone in Spain had the same idea: it was chock a block packed.

The food on offer of course was nothing short of amazing, so much variety, wonderfully presented and amazing colours.

We first tried some Churros with chocolate sauce. The chocolate was thick but also silky smooth and delicious. I was reminded a friend of ours affectionately calls Churros “Scaly Donuts”.

There was so much amazing food it was difficult to choose, but we bought some empanadas, sangria and mozzarella with Jamón and fig compote. Utterly delicious, I just wish I wasn’t already so stuffed with food from the day before.

First coffee of 2024! We got up late and went for a wander, every single cafe was closed (not really surprising being New Years Day – but hope springs eternal when coffee is involved!).

Just as we were about to give up and head back to the apartment for a nespressso pod, this little oasis in the coffee desert appeared when we rounded a corner. It wasn’t an illusion, it was packed so we had to get takeaway. Grabbed a few delicious pastries too.

Last day of the year we ticked off a foodie bucket list item. Late lunch at Sobrino de Botín, the oldest restaurant in the world still in operation, since 1725. The cellar of the restaurant has existed since 1590. Apparently the oven has been running continually for nearly 300 years.

The restaurant is famous for its roast suckling pig and roast lamb. As soon as we knew we were coming to Madrid this was on my “must do” list and I pre-booked months ago.

The best seating is in the cellar, which I requested on the booking and luckily my wish was granted.

The restaurant did not disappoint in any way, the atmosphere in the cellar is amazing, total architectural eye candy with exposed 16th century brick work everywhere. The food and table service was wonderful.

Sharon had the pork, Emma and I had the lamb. Don’t think we will need to eat for a few days now.

My last morning coffee for 2023, couldn’t have picked a nicer place, this little cafe here in Madrid was recommended by the apartment owner and it’s fantastic. Turned out to be hard to find as it’s on a corner where about 5 streets all meet and it was hidden behind some clothing market stalls that were setting up for the day. It’s unfortunate we can’t sample everything, they had amazing looking things on the menu and in the display cabinets.